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Council approves timeline for multiyear Sixth Avenue West reconstruction projected at about $10.3 million
Summary
Staff presented a multiyear plan to reconstruct Sixth Avenue West — utilities, steam-line removal and roadway — spanning 2026–2028 with an estimated cost of about $10.3 million; council approved the proposed timeline and directed staff to pursue grants and design work.
City engineering staff briefed the committee on a planned multi-year reconstruction of Sixth Avenue West, from the bridge south to about Third Street South. The project will relocate utilities that currently run under the public utilities building, replace aging storm and sanitary sewer trunk lines, address water mains, and remove an obsolete steam line.
Engineers said the work will need to be staged across 2026–2028 because of the steam-line shutdown timetable and the complexity of utility relocations. The preliminary cost estimate presented was about $10,300,000. Staff said they had applied for multiple grants and direct appropriations; one large competitive grant they had targeted was not awarded, and staff will continue pursuing additional funding.
Councilors discussed cost-sharing with Public Utilities — staff said public-utilities contributions are expected but the precise split was not finalized, and public-utilities responsibility will be reflected in future budgeting. Councilor Johnson moved to approve the construction timeline and the committee supported the motion.
Why it matters: Sixth Avenue West is a significant trunk corridor with major utility infrastructure. The project will require coordinated design, staged construction, and substantial funding commitments over multiple years; delays could affect other city projects and services.
Discussion vs. action: The committee approved the proposed timeline (2026 start with phased work through 2028). The vote authorized the sequence but did not appropriate full funding; staff were told to continue grant-seeking and design work.
What’s next: Staff will continue preconstruction exploration, refine cost estimates, pursue grants, and move toward design and bidding prior to the planned 2026 construction season.
